(FOX 46 WJZY/AP) - Chris Watts, the man who pleaded guilty in the murders of his pregnant wife and two daughters, was sentenced on Monday to consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Watts entered his plea early this month in Weld County. The 33-year-old also pleaded guilty to unlawful termination of a pregnancy.

Prosecutors said Shanann Watts' family consented to the plea deal allowing Christopher Watts to avoid the death penalty.

Police said Watts killed his wife and their daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste, inside their suburban Denver home. The children were found inside an oil tank and Watts was buried nearby.

A friend reported the family missing in mid-August. In local news interviews before his arrest, Watts pleaded for his family's safe return.